Following the successful eradication of Brucella abortus infection in cattle, human brucellosis in England and Wales has become an uncommon imported disease.

Culture of the organism presents a major laboratory hazard, and difficulties in identification may occur using a biochemical test-strip method.

An overview of recent treatment trials of brucellosis indicates that regimens combining streptomycin and doxycycline are associated with a higher success rate (judged by the frequency of treatment failure and relapse following therapy) than combinations of rifampicin and doxycycline.